{"id":14995,"date":"2023-04-07T06:32:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T06:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=14995"},"modified":"2025-08-04T00:13:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T00:13:00","slug":"watch-anniversaries-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2023\/04\/07\/watch-anniversaries-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch Anniversaries in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

While watchmaking goes many centuries back, it was the mid-20th<\/sup>\u00a0century that revolutionized the wristwatch in terms of precision and design.<\/p>\n

Advancements in science, flight, sea and land exploration, as well as changing tastes and fashion drove makers of mechanical watches to find solutions. The result was a slew of timepieces that, while especially made for professional and leisure activities, were elegant enough to wear in any situation.<\/p>\n

Proof of their timeless design is that we continue to enjoy them today. Here are the important watch anniversaries for 2023:<\/p>\n

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75 Years \u2013 Omega Seamaster (1948)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Introduced in 1948, the Omega Seamaster<\/a> is the brand\u2019s first series of watches, and continues to be its longest-running collection. The first Seamaster was modeled after watches made by Omega for the British Royal Navy during World War II. Advertised as a watch for\u00a0\u201ctown, sea, and country\u201d, they had slim profiles and a sleek design that was meant for everyday wear, but what distinguished the early Seamaster from its contemporaries was its waterproofing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Today, this ethos continues to permeate through the modern collection: that of water-resistant watches that are elegant enough to be worn every day. The collection now consists of a vast selection, from robust tool watches (Planet Ocean 600M), sporty utility watches (Seamaster 300M), nautical elegance (Aqua Terra) and vintage flair (Seamaster 1948).<\/p>\n

When the Seamaster turned 70 in 2018, Omega presented us with a pair of limited edition models inspired by the original Seamaster from 1948. No word has been released yet on 75th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary editions, but we wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they also pay tribute to the Seamaster\u2019s origins.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Generations of the Omega Seamaster 300M Watch<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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70 Years – Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (1953)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Introduced in 1953, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms<\/a> is widely considered as the first modern diving wristwatch.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Blancpain played a pivotal role in the development of the dive watch, and consequently the early years of underwater exploration, by introducing technology that we continue to use today \u2013 the unidirectional bezel, which is used to monitor the amount of time spent underwater; as well as the use of gaskets inside the caseback and grooves on the crown to make the timepiece water resistant.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic Steel Black Dial Mens Watch 5015<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The design of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms set the standard not just for the modern dive watch\u2019s functions, but its design language as a whole.<\/p>\n

In celebration of the Fifty Fathom\u2019s 70th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary, Blancpain planned a series of three models, to be released across three markets: the Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The first series, Act 1, is a stainless steel model in a new 42mm size, which resembles the original from 1953. Act 2 is a 47mm Grade 23 titanium watch, which can time dives up to three hours, compared to the standard 60 minutes. Dive watch aficionados are on the lookout for the next installment of the anniversary series.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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70 Years – Rolex Submariner (1953)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

While the Rolex Submariner<\/a> cannot claim to be the first modern dive watch, it is today considered the gold standard when it comes to dive watches \u001f\u2014\u00a0often imitated, but never matched.\u00a0Introduced in 1953, it has achieved cult status due to its combination of easy functionality, high performance, and striking yet timeless design.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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A main reason for its enduring popularity is how Rolex has consistently upgraded the Submariner while staying true to its original design. Even with the addition of modern bells and whistles like the Cerachrom bezel and solid bracelet links, one can easily spot a Submariner from afar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Generations of the Rolex Submariner in Steel: ref 1680, 16610, and 116610<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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The Submariner also led the dive watch\u2019s ascent from tool watch to luxury timepiece as they added precious metal versions in the 1970s. Today, the Submariner is enjoyed by almost anyone, from professional divers to celebrities and casual collectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rolex Submariner Kermit Green Bezel Steel Mens Watch 16610LV<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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We saw a 50th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary edition in 2003, the famous green-bezel Rolex Kermit; while the last\u00a0new release was made in 2020 when Rolex introduced the 41mm Submariner. There is no word of an anniversary edition for release this year, even as Rolex presented in the recent Watches and Wonders fair. For now, us Rolex fans can sit back and wait.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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70 Years – Rolex Explorer (1953)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The Rolex Explorer<\/a>, released in 1953, truly lives up to its name. It traces its beginnings to a Rolex watch made for high-altitude Himalayan exploration, and while it was expressly made for adverse environments, its classic, minimalist design also makes it easy to dress up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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The Rolex Explorer has changed very little since its launch, with all its iterations remaining true to its hallmark features: a robust Oyster case, a high-contrast 3-6-9 dial, a reliable time-only caliber, and comfortable wear thanks to the Oyster bracelet. The most noticeable\u00a0changes to the original design was the introduction of the 39mm case size in 2010 (later discontinued), and the two-tone steel and gold edition in 2021.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Generations of the Rolex Explorer: ref 6610, 214270, 124273 and 114270<\/em><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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For its 70th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary, the Explorer range is expanded with the arrival of the new 40mm model \u2013 the first time that the Explorer appears in this case size. It is crafted in Oystersteel, a stainless steel alloy specific to Rolex.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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60 Years – Rolex Daytona (1963)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Among the most highly anticipated watch anniversaries this year is the Daytona<\/a>\u2019s \u2013 after all, it\u2019s one of the most coveted watches in existence, regardless of whether it\u2019s vintage or modern. Its story began in 1963 when Rolex introduced the ref 6239 \u201cCosmograph\u201d, a chronograph with a tachymeter on its bezel, which was especially made for race car drivers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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